Just last Monday night I had a strange visitor. This is how it happened.
I had just finished the household chores for the night and was preparing to go to bed when I heard a noise in the
front of the house. I opened the door to the front room, and to my surprise, it was Santa Claus himself stepping
out from behind the Christmas Tree. He placed his fingers over his lips so I wouldn't cry out.
"What are you doing here..." I started to ask, but the words choked up in my throat as I saw that he had tears in
his eyes. His usual jolly manner was gone...gone was the eager, boisterous soul we all know. As I stood there in my
night shirt bewildered, Santa said, "Teach The Children".
I had just finished the household chores for the night and was preparing to go to bed when I heard a noise in the
front of the house. I opened the door to the front room, and to my surprise, it was Santa Claus himself stepping
out from behind the Christmas Tree. He placed his fingers over his lips so I wouldn't cry out.
"What are you doing here..." I started to ask, but the words choked up in my throat as I saw that he had tears in
his eyes. His usual jolly manner was gone...gone was the eager, boisterous soul we all know. As I stood there in my
night shirt bewildered, Santa said, "Teach The Children".
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a MorningStar Celebration snippet
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a MorningStar Celebration snippet
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Music: I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day
| Blessed be. Peace begins in each human heart, a decision and a vision and then comes walking the talk. Peace to you and all of us. May the Force be with You . . . |
Teach The Children
My perplexed expression still showed in the near darkness. "Teach
them the old meaning of Christmas; the meanings that Christmas
nowadays has forgotten."
"Teach The Children, “that the star was a Heavenly sign of promise
long ages ago. God promised a Savior for the world and a sign of the
fulfillment of that promise was the great star of the East. The star
now reminds us of God's love for mankind and of God fulfilling His
promise. The countless shining stars at night ~ one for each person ~
now show the burning hope of all mankind."
them the old meaning of Christmas; the meanings that Christmas
nowadays has forgotten."
"Teach The Children, “that the star was a Heavenly sign of promise
long ages ago. God promised a Savior for the world and a sign of the
fulfillment of that promise was the great star of the East. The star
now reminds us of God's love for mankind and of God fulfilling His
promise. The countless shining stars at night ~ one for each person ~
now show the burning hope of all mankind."
Santa gently laid the star upon the fireplace mantle and drew forth from the bag a glittering red Christmas
ornament.
"Teach The Children, that red is the first color of Christmas. It was first used by the faithful people to
remind them of the blood which was shed for all people by the Savior. Christ gave his life and shed his blood
that every man might have God's gift to all, eternal life. Red is deep, intense, vivid. It is the greatest color of
all. It is the symbol of the gift of God." As Santa was twisting and pulling another object out of his bag, I
heard the kitchen clock begin to strike twelve. I wanted to say something, but he went right on.
The twisting and pulling suddenly dislodged a small Christmas tree from the depths of the toy bag. He placed it
before the mantle and gently hung the red ornament on the big Christmas tree. The deep green of the fir tree
was a perfect background for the ornament. Here was the second color of Christmas.
"Teach The Children, that the pure color of the stately fir tree remains green all year round," he said. "This
depicts the everlasting hope of mankind. Green is the youthful, hopeful, abundant color of nature. All the
needles point heavenward. A symbol of man's returning thoughts toward heaven. The great, green tree has been
man's best friend. It has sheltered him, warmed him, made beauty for him, formed his furniture." Santa's eyes
were beginning to twinkle now as he stood there. Suddenly I heard a soft tinkling sound. As it grew louder, it
seemed like the sound of long ago.
"Teach The Children, that as the lost sheep are found by sounds of the bell, so should it ring for men to return
to the fold; it means guidance and return; it further signifies that all are precious in the eyes of God." As the
soft sound of the bell faded into the night, Santa drew forth a candle. He placed it on the mantle and the soft
glow from its tiny flame cast an eerie glow about the darkened room. Odd shapes in the shadow slowly danced
and weaved upon the walls.
"Teach The Children", whispered Santa, "that the candle shows man's thanks for the star of long ago. It's small
light is the mirror of starlight. At first, candles were placed on the Christmas Tree, they were like many
glowing stars shining against the dark green. Safety now has removed the candles from the tree and the colored
lights have taken over in their place." Santa turned the small Christmas tree lights on and picked up a gift from
under the tree.
"Teach The Children", he again whispered as he pointed to the large bow ribbon. "A bow is placed on a present
to remind us of the spirit of the brotherhood of man. We should remember that the bow is tied as men should
be tied...all of us together, with the bonds of good will toward each other. Goodwill forever is the message of
the bow."
Now I wondered what else Santa had in his bag. Instead of reaching in his bag, he slung it over his shoulder and
began to reach up on the Christmas tree. I thought he was hungry as he reached for a candy cane, purposely
placed high on the tree. He unfastened it and reached out toward me with it.
"Teach The Children, that the candy cane represents the shepherds crook. The crook on the staff helps bring
back the strayed sheep to the fold. The candy cane represents the helping hand we should show at Christmas
time. The candy is the symbol that we are our brother's/sister'skeeper."
Santa then paused. He seemed to realize he should be on his way. Later would be his big day. As he looked
about the room, a feeling of satisfaction showed in his face. He read wonderment in my eyes and I am sure he
sensed my admiration on this night. He was his old self as he approached the front door. The twinkle in his eye
gave Santa away; I knew he wasn't through yet. He reached into his bag and brought forth a large holly wreath.
He placed it on the door and said,
"Please, Teach The Children the wreath symbolizes the eternal nature of love; it never ceases, stops or ends. It
is one continuous round of affection. The wreath does double duty. It is made of many things and in many
colors. It reminds us all of the things of Christmas.
Please "Teach The Children ".
ornament.
"Teach The Children, that red is the first color of Christmas. It was first used by the faithful people to
remind them of the blood which was shed for all people by the Savior. Christ gave his life and shed his blood
that every man might have God's gift to all, eternal life. Red is deep, intense, vivid. It is the greatest color of
all. It is the symbol of the gift of God." As Santa was twisting and pulling another object out of his bag, I
heard the kitchen clock begin to strike twelve. I wanted to say something, but he went right on.
The twisting and pulling suddenly dislodged a small Christmas tree from the depths of the toy bag. He placed it
before the mantle and gently hung the red ornament on the big Christmas tree. The deep green of the fir tree
was a perfect background for the ornament. Here was the second color of Christmas.
"Teach The Children, that the pure color of the stately fir tree remains green all year round," he said. "This
depicts the everlasting hope of mankind. Green is the youthful, hopeful, abundant color of nature. All the
needles point heavenward. A symbol of man's returning thoughts toward heaven. The great, green tree has been
man's best friend. It has sheltered him, warmed him, made beauty for him, formed his furniture." Santa's eyes
were beginning to twinkle now as he stood there. Suddenly I heard a soft tinkling sound. As it grew louder, it
seemed like the sound of long ago.
"Teach The Children, that as the lost sheep are found by sounds of the bell, so should it ring for men to return
to the fold; it means guidance and return; it further signifies that all are precious in the eyes of God." As the
soft sound of the bell faded into the night, Santa drew forth a candle. He placed it on the mantle and the soft
glow from its tiny flame cast an eerie glow about the darkened room. Odd shapes in the shadow slowly danced
and weaved upon the walls.
"Teach The Children", whispered Santa, "that the candle shows man's thanks for the star of long ago. It's small
light is the mirror of starlight. At first, candles were placed on the Christmas Tree, they were like many
glowing stars shining against the dark green. Safety now has removed the candles from the tree and the colored
lights have taken over in their place." Santa turned the small Christmas tree lights on and picked up a gift from
under the tree.
"Teach The Children", he again whispered as he pointed to the large bow ribbon. "A bow is placed on a present
to remind us of the spirit of the brotherhood of man. We should remember that the bow is tied as men should
be tied...all of us together, with the bonds of good will toward each other. Goodwill forever is the message of
the bow."
Now I wondered what else Santa had in his bag. Instead of reaching in his bag, he slung it over his shoulder and
began to reach up on the Christmas tree. I thought he was hungry as he reached for a candy cane, purposely
placed high on the tree. He unfastened it and reached out toward me with it.
"Teach The Children, that the candy cane represents the shepherds crook. The crook on the staff helps bring
back the strayed sheep to the fold. The candy cane represents the helping hand we should show at Christmas
time. The candy is the symbol that we are our brother's/sister'skeeper."
Santa then paused. He seemed to realize he should be on his way. Later would be his big day. As he looked
about the room, a feeling of satisfaction showed in his face. He read wonderment in my eyes and I am sure he
sensed my admiration on this night. He was his old self as he approached the front door. The twinkle in his eye
gave Santa away; I knew he wasn't through yet. He reached into his bag and brought forth a large holly wreath.
He placed it on the door and said,
"Please, Teach The Children the wreath symbolizes the eternal nature of love; it never ceases, stops or ends. It
is one continuous round of affection. The wreath does double duty. It is made of many things and in many
colors. It reminds us all of the things of Christmas.
Please "Teach The Children ".
I pondered and wondered
and thrilled with delight,
As I saw and viewed
all those symbols that night.
I dozed as I sat
in the soft candle light,
and my thoughts were of Santa
and all he made right.
To give and to help,
To love and to serve,
Are the best things of life,
All men can deserve.
Old Santa Claus
that jolly fat elf,
is the very best symbol
of Christmas itself.
and thrilled with delight,
As I saw and viewed
all those symbols that night.
I dozed as I sat
in the soft candle light,
and my thoughts were of Santa
and all he made right.
To give and to help,
To love and to serve,
Are the best things of life,
All men can deserve.
Old Santa Claus
that jolly fat elf,
is the very best symbol
of Christmas itself.
He's the sign of the gift
of love and of life,
The ending of evil,
the ceasing of strife.
His message to me
on the pre-Christmas night,
Has opened a treasure
of deepest insight.
of love and of life,
The ending of evil,
the ceasing of strife.
His message to me
on the pre-Christmas night,
Has opened a treasure
of deepest insight.
The one thing on earth
we all ought to do,
Is "Teach The Children"
what's right and what's true.
we all ought to do,
Is "Teach The Children"
what's right and what's true.
~Simultaneously contributed by Kenny Rinehart & Carolyn Richards
Today is that great day of the year, the Winter Solstice. True we as
Christians appropriated it for our own holiday, but our intentions were
good and our message, "Peace on Earth Good Will to Men," swings.
Maybe in our busy schedule we could all take just five minutes and
pray that there can be a lasting Peace on Earth. If just twenty of us
did so, we will have an hour of peace prayer going out there into the
Universe.
Christians appropriated it for our own holiday, but our intentions were
good and our message, "Peace on Earth Good Will to Men," swings.
Maybe in our busy schedule we could all take just five minutes and
pray that there can be a lasting Peace on Earth. If just twenty of us
did so, we will have an hour of peace prayer going out there into the
Universe.
God will get the message, and if we are part of a prayer crusade, true
peace, lasting peace could come. If we don't try, it will never be a
reality; please let's try.
To All of you on the MorningStar list, my brothers and sisters; Merry
Christmas and a Joyous Winter Solstice.
~adapted from Fr. Spencer (Ch. Of Antioch ‘07)
peace, lasting peace could come. If we don't try, it will never be a
reality; please let's try.
To All of you on the MorningStar list, my brothers and sisters; Merry
Christmas and a Joyous Winter Solstice.
~adapted from Fr. Spencer (Ch. Of Antioch ‘07)
DawnStar file graphics
MorningStar for people
To submit comments, requests or materials,
contact me at outreach@dawncoveabbey.org
contact me at outreach@dawncoveabbey.org
For empowerment workshops, seminars and lectures, see: http://www.dawncoveabbey.org/healing-circle
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MorningStar Inspiration from Dawn Cove Abbey
Article, haiku, humour and poem contributions are welcomed, and gratefully received
Layout & Design by DawnStar
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MorningStar Inspiration from Dawn Cove Abbey
Article, haiku, humour and poem contributions are welcomed, and gratefully received
Layout & Design by DawnStar
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